Back rest



Jan. 11, 1938. j 0, 5, SMI H 2,105,336

'BACK REST Filed April 4, 1936 INVENTOR DOROTHY 8 SMITH ww iwm' A ORNEY Patented Jan. 11, 19 38 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to back rests or supports and more particularly to devices placed on a bed or couch for supporting a person in a sitting position.

' While devices of this type are at present generally known, their more universal use has been curtailed by reason of their high cost and considerable .cumbersomeness. Of expensive upholstered and rigid construction and of considerable weight and bulk, difliculty is often hadin storing these devices when not in-use. V

The present invention, however, seeking to obviate the above faults contemplates the provision of a durable, light, inexpensive and foldable device affording the user all the comforts expected therefrom.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of a light wire frame forming the back rest and having arm rests adjustable to 20 the convenience of the user and foldable to a position within the dimensions of the back rest when the device is stored out of use.

The invention also contemplates the provision of novel back engaging means stretched across 25 the front of a wire frame comprising the back rest and also contemplates novel means for removably mounting said back engaging means so they may be washed, cleaned or sterilized'when desired.

Another contemplated feature of the invention resides in the provision of aslip cover for the frame whereby its appearance is further enhanced in addition to providing additional and comfort aifording supporting means.

35 Another feature of the invention resides in the sanitary and insect proof construction of the device which is easily maintained clean and free of vermin, all portions being readily accessible.

With the above objects and advantages of the 40 invention in mind and others which will become apparent as this disclosure progresses, the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of the parts as shown in the accompanying drawing, in which several preferred em- 45 bodiments of the invention, as at present contemplated, are illustrated, the following specification being based thereon.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a back rest 50 constructed in accordance with the invention.

' Fig. 2 is a front view of the back rest frame.

Fig, 3 is an end view thereof. Fig. 41s a top plan view. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view 66 of the arm rest adjusting means.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view, as seen from the 6 rear, of a ,back rest provided with a slip cover.

Fig. 9 is an end view showing an alternate manner of folding the arm rests.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the device comprises a frame I0 10 and arm rests II. The frame may be made of tubing, strap metal or even of wood, but is preferably formed of rigid wire, comprising a rear frame member i2 and a front frame member l3. 7

' The rear frame member is preferably formed as a rectangular member having vertical portions M and top and bottom longitudinal members respectively, l5 and I6. v

The front frame member preferably comprises a bowed longitudinal upper member I! and two end portions, each comprising a vertical leg l8,

a sloping leg l8 and a backwardly bent leg 20.

' If desired. connecting brace members 2| and 2|- may be employed between the frame members I I2 and I3, and a bowed member I6 may be provided to connect the lower extremities of the legs l8.

Stretched between the legs ii! there may be positioned a back engaging sheet or panel preferably of duck or canvas, such as shown at 22.

This member may be permanently attached, or,

another modified as shown, removably attached as by means of lacing 23.

It will be noted that since the longitudinal frame member I! is bowed backward at its cen- 5 ter, the sheet or panel 22, tautly stretched, serves to engage the back of a user, which is thereby prevented from contacting the frame itself.

Similarly,'the frame legs i8 may have a sheet or panel such as 24 removably stretched between 40 them as shown.

Suitably hinged to the frame legs l8 as by loops Hi there is preferably provided a pair of arm rests H, each comprising a wire frame 25 and an arm engaging pad or the like 26. As will be noted from Figures 1 and 5, these arm rests may be adiustably positioned in relation to the back rest, or may be swung to assume a position .substantially within the confines of the back rest frame.

In order to maintain the arm restsinadjusted position, means such as shown at 21 may be employed. As illustrated, this means includes a lug 28 carried at the bottom of the back rest frame anda pivoted slotted link 29 pivoted to each arm rest, a wing or thumb nut and screw 30 servmoved to an in use position, these portions 25 will engage the rear of the sheet 24 to further tension it and thereby increase its supl i'ting properties.

To further enhance the appearance of the (16''.

vice, it may be provided with a slip cover 3| tautly and securely held in positionby slide fastener means 32. In this manner, the slip cover also acts as aback supporting means cojointly'with the portions 22 and 24.

As shown in the modified form of the invention (Figure 6) the back rest frame may be formed of a base portion 33 and an upper hinged frame 34 on which is affixed the canvas panel 22. Means such as the serrated and cooperating adjusting discs '35 may be employed together with wing nuts '36 for adjustably securing the frame 34 which may also be swung down in the direction of the arrow so the device may occupy a minimum of space when stored, the arm rest frames 25 being similar to those shown in, and adjustable by means similar to those used in Figure 1.

Another form in which the invention may be realized is shown in Figure '7, wherein the: back rest is formed of one continuous integral frame member 31, as for instance of tubing which may be chromium plated for beauty. The arm. rests 38 may be similarly formed with padding or cushion means at 39. In this construction, the frame member 31 is preferably provided with at least two portions such as the top portion 40 and the bottom portion 4| serving to prevent tipping of the device when in use against a wall, or headboard of a bed or other support.

While the arm rests are preferably swung horizontally out of use as before described, they may also be swung upwardly as shown in Figure 9, wherein the frame 42 of the arm rest is articulated so it may collapse to lie substantially flat against the front of the frame 10.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the invention may be carried out in several ways. The

scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed, therefore, should not be determined on the present specific disclosure, but rather on the prior art. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A deviceof the class described comprising a wire frame back rest, a plurality of independent,

spaced apart back engaging members tautly posi tioned across the front of said back rest, and

, arm rests hingedly connected to opposite sides of the wire frame back rest,said arm rests having arm-engaging pads and being adapted to be folded substantially within the confines of the back rest, with the arm-engaging pads passing between the back engaging members.

2. In a device of the class described, a wire frame, flexible back supporting means attached to said frameand means for tautening said back supporting means, said means comprising an arm supporting member hinged to the frame and adapted to be secured in adjusted position.

3. In a device of the class described, a wire frame, flexible back supporting means attached to said frame, and means for tautening said back supporting means, said means comprising a pair of arm rests hingedly connected to the frame and each having a vertical portion in the rear of the flexible back-supporting means for stretching said flexible means whenthe arm rests are extended to operative position.

' DOROTHY 8; SMITH. 

